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Bellator announces signings of sluggers Paul Daley and Melvin Manhoef

Bellator MMA has added some proven knockout power to its welterweight and middleweight divisions.

The promotion today announced that welterweight slugger Paul Daley (34-13-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and middleweight striker Melvin Manhoef (28-11-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) have signed new deals with the promotion.

Dates and opponents for their next fight haven’t been announced.

“Like always, I’m coming into Bellator to put on a show,” Daley stated. “I loved working for (new Bellator President Scott) Coker back in Strikeforce, and when I got the call to possibly come back to Bellator, it was a no-brainer. I feel great, I’m fresh, and I’m going after that belt.”

Manhoef, a 19-year pro who also worked with Coker at Strikeforce, recently scored a TKO win over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in Brazil. Prior to that, he suffered back-to-back losses and is now 4-2 over his past six fights. The 38-year-old Surinamese-Dutch fighter owns 26 knockouts in 28 career wins.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We want Bellator to be a destination for not only the top-tier fighters in the sport, but the first-choice destination for fans to see the most entertaining fights in the sport,” Coker stated. “Both Paul and Melvin add a level of excitement to the roster that I can’t wait to see inside our cage, and this is just the beginning.”

Depending on who they get matched up against this might entice me to watch my first Bellator event. Daley and Melvin were in two of my favourite Strikeforce fights, against Diaz and Lawler respectively. I know it never got a lot of love at the time but I fucking miss Strikeforce, WEC too.